RUSTON, La. -
Head football coach Sonny Dykes announced several changes to the football coaching staff Monday, including the hiring of Rob Likens to coach the wide receivers.

Likens joins Louisiana Tech after having spent the past four seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Central Connecticut State, where he led the Northeast Conference's top-ranked offense all four years.

"Rob is a great addition to our staff," said Dykes. "I have known him for a while and have wanted to work with him for a long time. He has a great knowledge of the offense we want to install and as a Brookhaven, Miss. native, he brings a tremendous recruiting base, connections and experience."

Likens hiring is pending approval of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana system.

Likens coached CCSU's ground game to a ranking in the nation's top-10 among FCS schools every year during his tenure as well as a winning record in all four seasons, capping off the 2009 season with a 9-3 mark. The CCSU rushing offense was tops among FCS schools in 2006.

"I am really excited to be here at Louisiana Tech," Likens said. "I have known Sonny for over 10 years and we have very similar offensive philosophies. I know he is going to build a program the right way and I know he is going to succeed - I have no doubt in my mind about that. Louisiana Tech has a history of having an offense that is exciting and puts fans on the edge of their seats and I am excited to be involved with this program."

Under Likens' guidance, the Blue Devils led the conference in scoring offense in two seasons, had three undefeated home records, averaged just under 30 points per game in four seasons (29.1) and won more games in a four-year span than any collection of teams in school history. Likens coached two 1,000-yard rushers, two Walter Payton finalists and two All-America running backs in Justise Hairston and James Mallory.

Likens also coached the school's all-time leader in passing efficiency (Aubrey Norris, 139.4) and two NEC Offensive Players of the Year in Hairston and Mallory. In all, Likens had 13 all-conference selections in his four seasons.

Prior to joining Central Connecticut State, Likens spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Southeast Missouri State. He was the wide receivers coach at Temple University in the Big East Conference from 1998-2003. Before Temple, Likens was an assistant coach at North Alabama where he helped guide the Lions to become the first program in NCAA scholarship football to three consecutive playoff championships, a feat that has only been replicated by Appalachian State (2005-06-07) since.

Likens returns home to the south as hew as a former wide receiver at Mississippi State, earned his bachelor's degree in 1990. He earned his master's degree from North Alabama in 1995.

"I am excited to get back down south," said Likens. "The northeast is different. Down here, people are just football crazy. It is so good to be around people that love football, that are excited about football and are ready for some winning football."

Likens and his wife, Soni, have a five-month old son, Nicolas Cutter.
In other staff changes for the Bulldogs, Dykes announced that former offensive coordinator Frank Scelfo and former running backs coach Chino Fontenette have left the program.

Pete Perot will be retained as the offensive line coach, Stan Eggan will be retained and will be the new defensive line coach and Mark Tommerdahl will remain s the special teams coordinator and will coach an offensive position yet to be determined.

All of the team's support staff, including strength and conditioning coach Damon Harrington, equipment manager Jeff Springer and video coordinator David Snyder will be retained.

For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, please visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.